Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw’s Washington DC office has scooped three prized trade partners from Miller & Chevalier, including its head of international trade litigation, Duane Layton.

The team is completed by trade partners Sydney Mintzer and Jeffery Lowe. Both Layton and Lowe have valuable experience in the US Department of Commerce.

Layton said: “Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw is one of the few firms doing it right. They are making a concerted effort to expand. I’ve been practicing in Washington for over 20 years and I think they have hit on the right formula.”

The additions to Mayer Brown strengthen a practice that includes other former US government officials such as Mickey Kantor, the ex-secretary of commerce.

Layton’s practice also includes experience in trade disputes with China and the firm hopes this will complement recent hires in Asia such as Wenzhao (Connie) Wang, a former official from the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs.